The Minnesota Vikings were left fuming after a missed facemask penalty against the Los Angeles Rams denied quarterback Sam Darnold a chance to mount a game-tying drive on Thursday Night Football. The Vikings entered the fourth quarter trailing by only one point, determined to make a comeback after a close loss to the Detroit Lions. However, a late missed call may have sealed their fate.
With just under two minutes left in the game, Darnold and the Vikings offense took the field for one final push. On second down, Rams linebacker Byron Young broke through two tackles to bring down Darnold in the backfield. As he scrambled to escape, Young’s hand visibly grabbed Darnold’s facemask, dragging him to the turf. Darnold, clearly frustrated, immediately signaled to the officials, but no flag was thrown.
Even commentators reviewing the replay noted it was a clear facemask penalty that should have awarded the Vikings a crucial 15 yards. However, because the replay official did not initiate a review, Minnesota was left without recourse. Instead of a new set of downs and favorable field position, the Vikings conceded a safety, giving the Rams a 10-point lead.
In the game’s final moments, Matthew Stafford and the Rams took control, allowing Stafford to kneel out the clock and secure the win. The missed call sparked a social media uproar, with fans and analysts alike calling out the officiating lapse, wondering what might have been had the Vikings received the penalty yards. With Darnold leading a drive featuring Justin Jefferson and the potent Vikings offense, a touchdown and a two-point conversion could have sent the game to overtime.
The no-call has left the Vikings and their fans stewing over the missed opportunity. While Minnesota’s performance showed resilience, the officiating error has overshadowed what could have been a thrilling finish, reigniting debates about accountability and consistency in NFL officiating.
